CLEVELAND -- In May, 5 On Your Side alerted consumers of a modeling service who asked hopeful parents to pay hundreds of dollars to get their kids seen by Hollywood agents.

But as NewsChannel5's Angie Lau reported, some parents heard the warning too late.

The alert was regarding the Pittsburgh-based Aquarian Associates.

An open casting call was put together by the company, which said it would connect parents and kids with agents for an advanced fee of a couple hundred dollars.

The company's practices prompted the Consumer Protection Board in New York to issue a warning against Aquarian Associates.

"If we had seen the story, we would have been alerted and we would not have paid the money," said Akron mother Adriana Aaron.

Aaron had hopes for her daughter, Alasia, who barely survived as a preemie but is now a beautiful little girl who just turned 2.

Aaron said, "We really are struggling, you know, to the point that some, a lot of our bills are past due because we chose to try to get her somewhere, thinking that down the road it's going to pay back -- and we got hit hard."

Aaron agreed to pay Aquarian Associates $599, and she put $200 down.

The contract stated that Aaron had, "purchased an entry in the Great American Model & Talent Search," and that Aquarian is, "not an agency, nor do we guarantee work opportunities for participants."

"They told us, 'OK, it's going to be $500, but it's a great investment, your kids are going to go somewhere, they're going to get in all these commercials, and this and that, but you only have 24 hours to decide,'" said Aaron.

Aaron is certain her little girl will make it one day.

It's exactly what companies like Aquarian Associates bank on -- selling a dream.

NewsChannel5 contacted Aquarian Associates for comment, and also contacted the Better Business Bureau of western Pennsylvania, of which Aquarian said it was a member. Responses are still awaited.

Lau reported that if anyone truly has a chance at modeling, no legitimate modeling agency would ask for money up front -- they wouldn't have to, if they think they can get you work.

Experts say a demand for money up front is a sure sign you'll be disappointed.